The Bridges of Madison County, book by Marsha Norman based on the novel by Robert James Waller, music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, is musical theater at its best: innovative in staging by Bartlett Sher and beautiful, magical, dynamic scenic design by Michael Yeargan.
This story of a love affair between a housewife (Kelli O’Hara) in Iowa and a wandering photographer (the very strong, handsome Steven Pasquale) catches you from the first note O’Hara sings in her clear, lovely voice. Sher uses the chorus as atmosphere, stationed in recesses on the stage, as a town’s characters, costumed nicely by Catherine Zuber. Brown’s music is quite lovely; there is perfect integration of words and music, and the romantic and nostalgic songs are quite moving.
Cass Morgan and Michael X. Martin are delightful as nosey neighbors, Whitney Bashor does a fine singing turn and so does Katie Klaus.
All is well lighted by Donald Holder, and the show has a killer ending as O’Hara and Pasquale shake the house with voice and emotion, stirring us with a universal message about past possibilities that struck a chord in this old reviewer. It is a privilege to be in the audience for a show this good.
